Linked graphics reset format randomly

[FA_abroad]

Hi all,



I am writing a thesis in word 2010.

For the images, I am using the following method. I insert text boxes in mode "Top and bottom" and select that they don´t move with text unlocking the option "Move object with text".

Inside the text box I use field codes (INCLUDEPICTURE) to insert images. I just insert the link, not the image. In other words I select "Don´t store the image in the document" and "Preserve formatting".

After inserting the images with the explained method I modify their format: size, color, position. (And I add a caption but I suppose this is not relevant for my problem).

Most of the time things work fine but for any reason that I don´t know, sometimes all the images reset their format. Suddenly I see that they have re-sized to occupy the whole text box and they have come bank to the original color of the original linked image.

My problem is that I don´t know why or when this happens, as it looks totally random. But when it occurs I have to restore the required format myself image by image and obviously I cannot go on like this.

Does anyone knows why this is happening? Any suggestion?

Thank you very much in advance.

[macropod]

You cannot modify the colours of a linked image and have Word retain them. Any time the field updates (e.g. when you do a print preview or print the document), the images will revert to their original colours. Accordingly, any changes of that kind need to be made to the original image - or don't link to it.

If you want to constrain the image sizes, insert them into table cells with a fixed column-width and row height:
• For the rows, set the exact row height under Table Tools>Layout>Properties>Row>Specify Height>Exactly.
• For the columns, set the preferred column width under Table Tools>Layout>Properties>Columns and uncheck the 'automatically resize to fit contents' option under Table Tools>Layout>Properties>Table>Options.

As for your captions, they're best associated with the images by using a two-row table, with the image on one row and the caption on the other. I've posted macros here for automating that process.

I note that you have cross-posted the same question at: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/o...c-cb29b67d96a0
For cross-posting etiquette, please read: http://www.excelguru.ca/content.php?184

[FA_abroad]

Thank you macropod.

Your answer is very clear but I have a couple of doubts/concerns:

1) You say that every time that the field updates the image revert to the original colors. Is it the same for the size as it is apparently happening in my case?

2) About using Tables for the images. It might be a bit late to change that in my document but maybe I have no choice..... The only thing is that I also have Tables with equations and with the caption "Table" instead of "Figure". Is there any risk on having some tables with images and other tables with different data and different types of captions for every table?

Thanks.

[macropod]

Originally Posted by FA_abroad

1) You say that every time that the field updates the image revert to the original colors. Is it the same for the size as it is apparently happening in my case?

Yes.
There is a registry patch to prevent the resizing of Linked Excel Objects, but it doesn't have the same effect on other linked objects:
1. Open the Registry Editor, then navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\14.0\E xcel\Options
2. Add a new DWORD value: QFE_Boston
3. Set the new DWORD value to 1

Originally Posted by FA_abroad

2) About using Tables for the images. It might be a bit late to change that in my document but maybe I have no choice..... The only thing is that I also have Tables with equations and with the caption "Table" instead of "Figure". Is there any risk on having some tables with images and other tables with different data and different types of captions for every table?

No. The captions don't really care what they're attached to.

In my previous reply, I referred to a macro for automating the conversion of & captions to a two-row table, with the image on one row and the caption on the other. For such a macro, see: https://www.msofficeforums.com/word/...html#post92363

See also: https://www.msofficeforums.com/word/...html#post78488